Chapter 29
Susan checked the oven timer for the third time in as many minutes. The salmon crostini needed exactly two minutes more, and she wouldn’t let them overcook. Not tonight. Not when every detail mattered.
Beside her, Paul arranged smoked trout on crackers with such precision that each appetizer looked like a miniature work of art.
His fingers moved with practiced ease, adding a sprig of dill here, a dollop of crème fraiche there.
They’d fallen into this rhythm hours ago, their movements synchronized without need for words.
“How many trays do we still need to prepare?” Paul asked, glancing at the stainless-steel counter where empty platters waited.
“Six more after this batch.” Susan wiped her hands on her apron. “Pastor John said two hundred people registered for the event. That’s twice what they had last year.”
Paul’s eyebrows lifted. “Then we’d better keep moving.”
It was just as well the Welcome Center’s industrial kitchen was large. There was more than enough workspace for their appetizers and the volunteers who were assembling more platters.
Tonight’s open house was a chance for the community, business owners, and potential donors to see firsthand the programs and activities the Welcome Center supported. If the last few years were any indication, tonight could be one of the most successful initiatives they’d undertaken.
Through the glass partition wall, Susan saw guests enjoying the hospitality of the students who’d taken part in the center’s different programs.
She thought about Lynda, sitting beside Matt’s hospital bed. Kathleen had offered to wait in the hospital, to support Lynda in the only way they could. It meant that Susan could be here, helping Paul, and all the other volunteers who had given their time so generously for this event.
“These are ready.” Paul lifted a tray of prosciutto-wrapped asparagus. “The servers are busy, so I’ll take them out.”
“Good idea. I’ll keep working in here.”
As Paul disappeared through the swinging door, Susan plated the last of the salmon crostini.
When the timer beeped, she grabbed the oven mitts and pulled out the tray of caramelized onion and goat cheese tarts.
Steam rose from the golden pastry, carrying with it the sweet tang of balsamic reduction.
She transferred them to a serving platter just as Paul returned.
“Katie Bennett cornered me about her writing workshop,” Paul said, as he set down the empty tray. “She wants to know if we’d cater their end-of-year celebration.”
Susan smiled. Katie’s enthusiasm for children’s literature was infectious. “What did you tell her?”
“That we’d discuss it.” Paul reached for another tray. “But I think it’s a great opportunity. The kids could even help make simple recipes as part of the event.”
“I like that idea.” Susan arranged fresh thyme around the tarts. “We could do a cooking and storytelling theme. There are so many books built around food.”
Paul’s expression softened as he watched her work. “You’re really good at this, you know. Not just the cooking, but seeing how food can bring people together.”
Heat crept up Susan’s neck that had nothing to do with the oven. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
Before Paul could respond, Pastor John pushed through the kitchen door carrying an empty appetizer tray. His face was flushed with excitement. “Everyone’s raving about the food. I’ve already had three people ask who catered tonight.” He set the tray on the counter. “You’ve outdone yourselves.”
“Thank you.” Susan felt a swell of pride. “Are there particular appetizers people are enjoying?”
“All of them, but the brie with cranberry compote seems to be disappearing the fastest.” Pastor John checked his watch. “We’re expecting another wave of arrivals in about fifteen minutes. Most of the business owners RSVPed that they’d come after closing their stores.”
“We’ll be ready.” Paul was already assembling more crostini.
After Pastor John left, Susan and Paul worked in companionable silence. She rolled out more pastry while he chopped fresh herbs. Every so often their shoulders would brush as they moved around the kitchen, and each time Susan felt a jolt of awareness that she tried her best to ignore.
Focus on the food, she told herself. That was safer than thinking about how comfortable she felt working beside him, or how his presence had become something she looked forward to each day.
The swinging door opened again, and Mabel Terry bustled in with her characteristic energy.
“Susan! I should have known you and Paul would be behind tonight’s wonderful spread.
” She grabbed Susan’s hand and squeezed.
“Allan and I were just saying how lucky Sapphire Bay is to have someone with your talents.”
“That’s kind of you to say.”
“I’m not being kind, I’m being honest.” Mabel turned to Paul. “My neighbor’s daughter works for you. She has lovely things to say about your restaurant.”
“That sounds like Amelia.” Paul smiled. “She’s one of our best servers.”
“She loves her part-time job.” Mabel’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “She also mentioned that her boss has excellent taste in everything, including the company he keeps.”
Susan’s cheeks burned. Had Paul told his staff about their relationship? Or had people simply noticed them spending time together?
Paul cleared his throat. “Amelia’s very observant.”
“She certainly is.” Mabel picked up a cheese straw from a nearby tray. “I hope you don’t mind—I couldn’t resist. These look divine.”
“Help yourself,” Susan said. “Would you like to take some to Allan?”
“Oh, he’s doing just fine on his own. I left him talking with Shona about the advanced quilting classes she wants to offer at her store.
” Mabel took a bite and closed her eyes.
“Perfection. Pastor John said he wants you to do more cooking classes next year, Susan. Have you given it any more thought?”
Susan exchanged glances with Paul. She’d discussed the possibility last week, but she hadn’t committed to anything. “I’m considering it.”
“Don’t consider too long.” Mabel’s expression turned serious. “This center depends on community support. Having quality programs and events keeps people engaged.”
After Mabel left, Susan leaned against the counter. “She’s not wrong.”
“No, she’s not.” Paul arranged stuffed cherry tomatoes on a platter. “But that depends on how busy you want to be next year.” The look he sent her told her he wasn’t talking about running more classes. He was talking about the opportunity to work at the resort.
Susan considered his words while checking on the roasted vegetable skewers. The idea of working anywhere full time thrilled and terrified her. She’d moved to Sapphire Bay to slow down, to find peace. But maybe peace meant finding the right things to invest her energy into.
“Let’s get through tonight first,” she said finally. “Then we can talk about what comes next.”
Paul nodded, but his smile suggested he was already planning ahead.
For the next hour, the servers took a steady stream of appetizers out of the kitchen. When they were busy, Susan took out a fresh tray. There were so many familiar faces at the open house. Even Mayor Chen had made an appearance, shaking hands and thanking the volunteers.
The sense of community was palpable. People weren’t just here for free food or obligation—they genuinely cared about the Welcome Center and what it represented. Watching them connect and support each other reminded Susan why she’d fallen in love with this town.
When she returned to the kitchen, Paul was plating the final appetizers. “I think we’re almost done.”
“Good timing.” Susan untied her apron. “My feet are reminding me that I’m not twenty anymore.”
Paul chuckled. “Mine too. But it was worth it.”
“It was.” Susan looked around the kitchen at the remarkably tidy counters. “Thank you for inviting me to help you. It’s helped take my mind off Matt.”
“Thank you for saying yes.” Paul moved closer, his expression earnest. “I know tonight was supposed to be about the Welcome Center, but for me it was also about proving something to myself.”
“What’s that?”
“That I can work with someone I care about without letting it become all-consuming. That I can be present and professional at the same time.” His voice dropped. “That I can be the partner someone deserves.”
Susan’s breath caught. The kitchen suddenly felt smaller, the air charged with unspoken possibilities.
Before she could respond, Pastor John burst through the door with two other volunteers. “We need one more round of appetizers for some late arrivals. Do you have anything?”
The moment passed, but Susan felt its echo as she and Paul quickly assembled one last platter together. Some conversations could wait. And some things were better discussed outside the rush of an event, in the quiet moments when they had time to really listen to each other.
But as she watched Paul interact with the volunteers, saw the care he took in ensuring everything was perfect, Susan knew one thing with certainty.
Whatever happened next between them, tonight had been important.
They’d proven they could work together, support each other, and create something meaningful as a team.
And perhaps that was the best foundation anyone could ask for.